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Collection campaign for Ukraine: help!

Since 2012, the Max van der Stoel Foundation (FMS) has been working closely with the Ukrainian SD Platform; a social democratic youth organisation. The network of local activists built up over ten years is currently being deployed to support those who are suffering the most, and provide concrete help to anyone who needs it; from the streets of Kyiv to the shelters of Kharkiv. We want to help the SD platform.

On Saturday 9 April, a big collection drive will take place at various locations around the country, after which these items will be transported to the Slovak-Ukrainian border. You can support this action in various ways, see all the information here!

The West's fault?

In this horrific time of war, the West is often blamed for Russia's attack on Ukraine. It is alleged to have provoked Russia by advancing ever further towards its borders. I doubt that this is so. Rather, I would argue that the opposite is the case. Because of (internal) weakness and lack of international "ambition", the West gave Russia the opportunity to invade.

Support our comrades in Ukraine! Just when the need is so high.

Dear friends,

We have all been affected by the Russian army's horrific invasion of Ukraine. The images pierce our minds. Many have asked me what we can do to help. People have spontaneously offered housing to accommodate refugees when they come to the Netherlands. Many of you have also indicated that you would like to donate money. Of course, you can transfer that to well-known charities such as Stichting Vluchteling and Het Rode Kruis.

Towards EU-Africa summit

Last December, President Macron spoke of establishing a "fair system of peace and prosperity" at the upcoming EU-Africa summit in Brussels on 17 and 18 February. Now that France holds the EU presidency and Macron will thus be the host of this sixth summit, he can really start putting this ambition into action. According to the African Union (AU), this is an important moment for establishing long-term cooperation that represents more than just a donor-and-receiver relationship.

Africaweek 2022 - ''If the EU does not stand up, others will fill the gap''

'For us, Africa is an equal partner in terms of efforts, aspirations and dreams to fight inequality, so our actions should reflect this reality,'' the Socialist & Democrats Group (S&D Group) said. In keeping with this thinking, Africaweek was organised last week, spread over three days. Through several panels that could be followed online, several important topics were discussed. These included the future of African infrastructure, women's empowerment, youth engagement in democracies, the climate crisis in both the EU and Africa and, above all, EU-Africa cooperation. The latter three were also followed by FMS.

Christmas message Bert Koenders

Dear FMS'ers, donors and supporters,

I hope you receive this Christmas message in good physical and mental health as much as possible. And I would like to thank you for the enthusiasm with which you have supported our foundation or participated in our numerous activities over the past year.

FMS seeks intern 'development'

Are you looking for an internship for spring 2022? And are you interested in international politics? Then come and do an internship at the FMS. We are still looking for 1 intern for the period February to June 2022!

Suggestions for the progressive opposition agreement

Last week, the progressive opposition agreement of Labour and Green Left was presented. An ambitious agreement, with many good plans, crucial for a social and green future. With these 15 goals, the stakes are high, but they are achievable if they are taken seriously. That is why the Max van der Stoel Foundation is happy to help think about their further implementation, especially in the field of an ambitious foreign policy.

Rosa van Driel leaves FMS after 4.5 years

Rosa van Driel has decided to leave the FMS for CARE Netherlands after 4.5 years, to work as a climate lobbyist for fair international climate policy. Of course, we couldn't just let this pass us by, which is why we held the following farewell interview with her:

The Glasgow climate summit: what did it bring?

It was a stirring two weeks in Glasgow early this month, as virtually every country in the world gathered there for the UN Climate Summit. The run-up to it was not smooth either. The summit had already been scheduled for 2020, but the corona crisis delayed it by a year. Then there were concerns about entry restrictions, making it more difficult for delegations from developing countries to travel to Scotland. A major problem, as developing countries are precisely the hardest hit by climate change and thus deserve a very prominent place at the negotiating table.